Utility bag



1943- M. FREEDLAND 2,326,452

UTILITY (BAG Filed Sept. 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Shei 1 I I INVENTOR. 5 MMM "Jaw- 6 ATTGR/YEY Aug. 10, 1943.

M. FREEDLAND UTILITY BAG Filed Sept. 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

M ava land ATTORNEY- Patented Au 10, 1943 UTILITY BAG -Max Freedlan'd, New York, N. assignor 0 .1

Empire Shield Col, Inc., a corporation of New York Application September 17, 1942, Serial No. 458.681) f} 2 Claims. (o1.1ee-'-4s)* This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a utility bag.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of a bag-like body having a bottom wall and side walls with large radii top corners and relatively low end walls with flexible extensions projected inwards from the tops of the side walls and directed towards each other in a manner to close the open top of the bag.

A further object of the invention proposes the provision of flexible "stifi reinforcement strips mounted along the overlapping edges of the flexible extensions in' a manner to be bent to conform with the contour of the top edges of the side walls to retain the'extensions in their overlapped positions in which they close the open top of the bag.

A still furtherobject of the invention proposes the provision of a novel means arranged in connection with the ends of the flexible strips and engageable with the end walls of thebag in a manner to retain the flexible "strips in their arched condition conforming with the top edges of the side walls. 1

Another object of the invention proposes the provision of a means arranged in connection with the topmost flexible extension for holding the center portions of the extensions overlapped against the outward force of the contents of the bag when overstuffed.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a utility bag constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the utility bag in its open condition.

Fig 4 is an end elevational view of the utility bag in its closed condition.

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one end of the bag shown in Fig. '7.

The utility bag, according to this invention,

sectional View on includes apes-like eddy. it having a bottom wall ll, sidewalls, l2 and relatively low end walls-.13.

The bag I9 ;is constructed of duck, canvas,

leather orother similar materials and has its bottom wall reinforced to maintain aflat conditionbymeans'of a board M. The. side walls 52 have largeradii. top corners which extend from the top endsof therelatively low end Walls l3 to the top edges of itheside'walls l2.

Handles ll have their ends attached to" the side walls l2 and provide a convenient means by which the bag Ill may be easilycarriedabout,v 7

.:Flexible extensionsj. !-3-;extend from?- the top edges of the side walls [2 and are-directediin- Wards and towardseach other forming-the 'top of the bag Ill. The flexible extensions 18 have their inner edgesoverlappedand follow the-contour of the top edges oftheside walls and extend downwards and overfxthe top edges" jof;the end walls [3. Flexible and stiff reinforcement strips [9 are mounted along the overlapping edges; of the flexible: extensions I3. {The reinforcement strips l9 are preferably formedof metal-and are disposed withinpockets ;2il;,,fo rmed; along. the freeedges of the flexible extensions-18. These pockets 20 are formed by bending the free edges of the extensions I8 under and. outwards and securing the bent under portions in position by a line of stitches 2|.

The reinforcement strips are adapted to be flexed to follow the contour of the top edges of 7 the side walls [2 when overlapped to retain the flexible extensions 88 in their overlapped condition so as to close the open top of the bag It).

Means is provided for retaining the reinforcement strips IS in their flexed condition. This means is identical for both ends of the bag Ill and is characterized by a loop 22 mounted on one of the superimposed ends of the metal strips 19. A strap 23 is mounted on-the other of the superimposed ends and is adapted to be engaged through its respective loop 22 and is formed With a plurality of openings 24 selectively engageable with a tongue 25 of a buckle 26 mounted on the adjacent end wall I3 of the bag to. The engagement of the straps 23 with the buckles 2e will maintain the reinforcement strips H1 in their flexed position and maintain the bag closed.

.However, when the straps 23 are disengaged from the buckle 25 the reinforcement strips l9 will straighten out and permit the extensions [8 to be directed outwards to open the top of the bag I8.

Means is provided in connection with the topmost overlapped portion of the flexible extensions from being opened under the outward force of the contents of the bag.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8 the construction of the-utility bag is similar to that previously described except for the.

provision of a slightly different means for attaching the free ends of the straps 23' inposition with relation to the end walls I3 of the bag to.

' In this form of the invention the straps 23' after being passed through the loops 22 are then passed into and out or adjaeents'lits 24' formed in the end walls 13. The free end of each strap 23 is provided with a snap fastener element 25' which is engageable with a. complementary snap fastenor element 26 mounted upon the bottom face of the bottom wall H. Before the'snap fastener elements 25 may be engaged with'the snap. iastener elements 26 it is necessary that the free ends of the straps 23 be bent around the bottom corners of the bag l0.

The corners of the bottom wall of the bag [0 are provided with small foot members 29 upon which the bag Hlmay be rested so as to prevent the ends of the straps 23' from contacting the ground when set down.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is. to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming' within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. a i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new,- and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A utility bag, comprising a bag-like body having a bottom wall, side walls with large radii top corners, and relatively low end Walls, flexible extensions from the tops of said side walls directed towards each other forming the top of said bag and overlapping and following the contour of the top edges of said side walls and extending downwards and over the top edges of said end walls, flexible and stiff reinforcement strips mounted along the overlapping edges of said flexible extensions and flexed and following the curved contour of said flexible extensions, loops connected with the ends of one of said strips, straps connected with the ends of the other of said strips and passing through said loops and holding said strips in their flexed positions, and means for releasably connecting said straps to said body, whereby when said straps are released said strips will unflex and straighten and said bag will be open.

2. 'Auutility bag, comprising a bag-like body having a bottom wall, side walls, with large radii top corners, and relatively lowend walls, flexible extensions from the tops of said side walls directed towards each other forming the top of said has and overl ppin and foll the contou oi the ion ed es o said side Walls and extendin downwards; and over the top edges of said end walls, flexible and stifi reinforcement strips mounted along th ever-lapping edges of said flexible extensions and flexed and following the curved contour of said flexible extensions, loops with the ends of one of said strips, straps connected with the ends of the other of said strips and, passin through said loops and holding said strips in their flexed positions, and means for releasably connecting said straps to said body, whereby when said straps are'released said strips will unflexand straighten and said bag will be open, said; strapsbeing; passed into and out of adjacent slits formed in the end walls of said bag like body and said means comprising sna iastener elements on thev free, ends of said straps and engageable with complementary'snap fastener elements onv the bottom of said bag.

. MAX FREEDLAND. 

